{"id":5284,"date":"2013-07-01T17:17:43","date_gmt":"2013-07-02T00:17:43","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=5284"},"modified":"2014-02-23T16:56:33","modified_gmt":"2014-02-24T00:56:33","slug":"cocktail-corner-kentucky-derby-day-drinks","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lesliedinaberg.com\/wordpress\/?p=5284","title":{"rendered":"Cocktail Corner: Kentucky Derby Day Drinks"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Early

Early Times makes the official Mint Julep of the 2013 Kentucky Derby. (courtesy photo)<\/p><\/div>\n

A spirited toast to all things alcoholic! By Leslie Dinaberg<\/h4>\n

It’s Kentucky Derby<\/strong><\/a> time this weekend, and although all I know about the leaderboard is that Orb<\/strong><\/a> is favored to win, I know enough about Kentucky Derby Day traditions to know whichever horse your money’s on, y’all should be cheering ’em on with a Mint Julep<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n

This ice-cold cocktail is generally made with fresh mint leaves, sugar, a little bit of water and a whole lot of Bourbon<\/strong>. It’s kind of hard to go wrong with that combination, but here are a few fun recipes I found to share with you.<\/p>\n

The “official” drink of the Derby (and how can you not love a sporting event with its own official drink?) is the \u00a0Early Times Mint Julep<\/strong><\/a>, which features\u00a0Early Times Kentucky Bourbon<\/a><\/strong> served in a commemorative silver cup<\/a><\/strong>. You can also purchase the pre-made versions of this cocktail in a\u00a0limited-edition Early Times Mint Julep artist bottle<\/a><\/strong>. This year\u2019s bottle (pictured) features the work of Celeste Susany<\/a><\/strong>, one of the nation\u2019s premier equine painters.<\/p>\n

Esquire<\/em> has a recipe for Brandy Julep<\/a><\/strong>, made with Cognac and Rum. Drinksmixer.com has a\u00a0Rum Julep<\/a><\/strong> recipe that uses simple syrup, which is also recommended by many mixologists as a timesaver if you’re serving a crowd.<\/p>\n

Emeril Lagasse<\/a><\/strong> makes a Mint Julep Martini<\/strong><\/a> with Belvedere Vodka<\/a><\/strong>, which sounds pretty fabulous, not to mention refreshing, as does this Frozen Mint Julep<\/strong><\/a>, from the official Kentucky Derby party planning page.<\/p>\n

Cheers!<\/p>\n

Click here<\/a> for more cocktail corner columns.<\/p>\n

\"Leslie<\/a>

Leslie Dinaberg<\/p><\/div>\n

When she\u2019s not busy working as the editor of Santa Barbara SEASONS, Cocktail Corner author Leslie Dinaberg writes<\/i> mag<\/i>azine articles, newspaper columns and grocery lists. When it comes to cocktails, Leslie considers herself a \u201cgoal-oriented drinker.\u201d<\/i><\/p>\n

Originally published in Santa Barbara SEASONS<\/a> on May 3, 2013.<\/p>\n

Share this:<\/h3>